A Whole New Way to Enjoy Watching Your Chickens!
The days of the indiscreet “spy-like” nanny cams are long gone. Now pet parents around the world place cameras throughout their homes to stay connected to their beloved pets. Sleeping babies and traffic throughout the home are also monitored through these cameras.
Technology and innovation have enabled security cameras to have HD quality that you can cast onto your large-screen TV or device wherever you are. When you are away from home, you can see what’s going on at home with a swipe of an app button.
Dog and cat lovers aren’t the only ones finding delight in pet cameras. Animals of all kinds are being watched through cameras, including chickens!
For more information on setting up your coop, see this guide.
In 2018, U.S. pet owners spent $19 million for pet cameras. By 2025, that figure is anticipated to reach $96.5 million!
Integration By A College Student: A Great Story!
About 20 years ago, a young college student took his technological skills and the 50 chickens he had and began creating something that has gained immense popularity. His goal was to create a live stream for people around the globe to be able to interact with his chickens through a camera.
His ingenuity is mind-blowing, to say the least! He managed to create a system where a viewer can watch his chickens in real-time in three different areas; the coop, run, and nesting boxes.
Viewers can feed the chickens a treat through a connected feeder. He went as far as creating an app he uses to control daily feedings and opening and closing of the coop gate. His chicken cam live stream has 6.59k subscribers and a viewing crowd of 1,096,993!
Now, most of us are not likely going to install a viewing system as elaborate as his, but you can install a camera that will provide you access to enjoying watching your chickens and to keep an eye on them for safety’s sake. Catching predators are one of the best features of having a camera system in your coop!
Installing a Chicken Coop Camera
Choosing the right camera boils down to your budget and how you want the camera system to perform. If it’s for pure entertainment, you can easily choose a camera that is inexpensive and easy to install. Multiple cameras to monitor predatorial issues, pest problems, or for the security of your coop will, of course, require a little more to install.
Let’s take a look at some great cameras that are ideal for a chicken coop.
Recommended Cameras
We have done a little research and have several recommended cameras that are perfect for your chicken coop.
Kamtron 1536P Indoor Wireless IP Camera
The Kamtron 1536P is not weatherproof and will need to be installed inside your chicken coop in a dry area. This camera is rated extremely high and very popular among pet parents! You can learn more about it here.
- Full HD
- IR Night Vision
- Motion Detection
- Two-Way Audio
- Dual mounting options (wall or standalone)
- Cloud storage
- Colors: black or white
Blink XT2 Smart Security Camera Indoor/Outdoor
The Blink XT2 system can be used either indoors or outdoors. Ratings were extremely high on this camera system. You can learn more about it here.
- Alexa integrational
- Two-Way Audio
- IR Night Vision
- Motion Detection
- Cloud storage
- Dual mounting options (wall or standalone)
- Colors: black
- Can add up to 4 more cameras to the system
Heimvision HM241 Wireless Outdoor Camera System
If you are looking for something durable and completely weatherproof, Heimvision HM241 is an excellent solution. As with the other two camera systems above, this system has outstanding ratings. To learn more, see this video.
- Full HD
- Waterproof
- 4-camera system
- Motion alert
- Remote access
- Night Vision
- Plug & play setup
- Can add up to 4 more cameras
- Solar charging panel can be purchased separately (not included with the camera system)
Installation Tips
When installing your chicken coop camera, you’ll want to be sure to mount it rather than placing it as a standalone. Chickens flapping their wings can cause the camera to fall over easily.
Locations for Mounting Your Camera(s)
Interior
- Mount your camera up in the top corner of the coop. Angle it down to capture a full interior view.
- You can mount an additional camera to focus in on the nesting boxes.
Exterior
- Mount your exterior camera up underneath the overhang. Angle it down to capture a view of the entrance of your coop.
- You can mount an additional camera to focus on the exterior/run of the coop as a safeguard to detect predators.
For information on other accessories for your coop, read this article.
Benefits of a Chicken Coop Camera
It goes without saying that a chicken coop camera provides you with an extra added measure of security for your chickens. Many chicken owners have been able to monitor where predators are attempting to gain entry.
Additionally, if you have chickens that come up missing and the only evidence left behind are scattered feathers, you can use your camera playback to find out what happened.
The entertainment component of being able to watch your chickens is invaluable. You’ll come to learn more about your chickens and what their habits are. Children love to watch live streams of animals.
Next time you are inclined to turn on the tv and zone out, why not tune in with nature and discover what’s happening right outside your own back door?
Happy “chickening!
